All students who scored 10A’s or more in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) will be assured a spot in any matriculation programme, regardless of race or locality.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said in his announcement that Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek would reveal the specifics tomorrow. He stated that the cabinet decided last Friday to address the issue of educational equity.
“When children pass the SPM but have little access to educational possibilities, the topic frequently becomes contentious. The cabinet met last Friday to discuss ideas that take into account all student groups and to review the proposals made in order to address this issue.”
At today’s National Training Week ending ceremony in Bukit Jalil, he declared, “The government has decided that starting this year, all our children who obtain excellent results, specifically 10As and above, will be guaranteed a place in the matriculation program by the government.”
The matriculation program, which began in 1998, prepares Bumiputera pupils for undergraduate studies in science, technology, and professional arts at local and foreign institutions of higher learning.
The selection process for the programme began in 2005 using a race-based quota system, with 90% designated for Bumiputera students and 10% for non-Bumiputera students.According to Anwar, the Education Ministry’s current Bumiputera quota scheme for the matriculation program will not alter.
According to him, this ruling does not contradict Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, which deals with the allocation of service and permission quotas for Malays and natives of all of Sabah and Sarawak.
Additionally, he noted that the decision was made to guarantee that all exceptional students had access to the best possibilities for academic advancement.
“To ensure chances for impoverished students from urban, rural, and remote places, this choice was taken.”
He also added that, “In order to guarantee that no impoverished urban child is left behind, we will continue to enforce the current Bumiputera quota policy even as we work to admit all students with 10As from all races into matriculation centers.This government recognises excellence, without exception regarding race or locality, and guarantees a place for them in matriculation programmes.”
He said that the Higher Education Ministry and the Ministry of Education will collaborate to specify the procedures and carry out this policy.
Source : NST
